What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
populate
Example
The city is populated by over a million people. [populate: verb]
Example
The forest is populated by various species of birds and animals. [populated: adjective]
inhabit
Example
The island is inhabited by a small community of fishermen. [inhabit: verb]
Example
The cave has been inhabited by bats for centuries. [inhabited: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Inhabit is less common than populate in everyday language. Populate is a more versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while inhabit is more specific and often used in scientific or academic writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between populate and inhabit?
Both populate and inhabit are formal words that can be used in academic or scientific writing. However, populate is more commonly used in everyday language and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
